Develop 21st Century Leaders for Global Health

Since our last update, we have been working hard to plan the new academic year, and develop a new five-year strategy. As we evolve, and the answers to challenging questions sometimes elude us, we have remained grounded by one of six GlobeMed Leadership Practices: SEE POSSIBILITY.

SEE POSSIBILITY is a reminder that in all people and situations, we [must] see the ability to learn, connect, and contribute to positive change. Here are some reflections.

Learn

In August, we hosted the Leadership Institute, which brought together over 120 students from 59 chapters. Every year, LI serves as an opportunity to connect with chapter leaders who sustain powerful partnerships with grassroots organizations all over the world.

GlobeMed’s success, or at least part of it, lies in our emphasis on reflective listening and responsive leadership. As we see our network expand every year, LI is an opportunity to reflect on our legacy and the lessons we have learned along the way, so that we can be better informed to build a stronger network of global health leaders. 

Connect

A sign of GlobeMed’s progress is increasing alumni engagement. GlobeMed was born because a group of students decided to challenge the status quo in the field of global health in 2006. Similarly, a larger group of students has decided to continue that work - even after graduating - a decade later.

The inaugural Alumni Digital Retreat, hosted in September, put the spotlight on an Alumni Association settling into its next mission, and taking practical steps to work together towards a common vision. We are incredibly excited to support their efforts and see GlobeMed leadership in practice through them.

Contribute

GlobeMed's next decade is bound to bring new challenges, but we believe that communication and collaboration will bring bountiful new possibilities. In anticipation of the upcoming Giving Season, stay tuned for stories from students, alumni, and partners about how GlobeMed has helped them become conscious and courageous leaders.

If you want to act now, please forward this update to a friend and encourage them to give to GlobeMed. Every new monthly donation made tomorrow, October 5th, will be matched 100%.

We are excited about the new year, and thank you for continuing to be a champion for global health leadership! 

Links:

• GlobeMed 2016 - 2017: Year In Review
• 2017 GROW Photo Contest - People's Choice Awards
• 2017 Leadership Institute Photo Album

Ask anyone about how GlobeMed makes an impact in global health, and you will get several answers. Some people say that we make a difference through our leadership development programs. Others say our globalhealthU curriculum is what caught their attention. Most people say “Definitely, the GROW internships” or highlight aspects of our partnership model.

Changing the way change happens

Every year, we engage new GlobeMed chapter leaders and members who work tirelessly to maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with grassroots partners in far away locales. Through the annual Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) internship, a small group of those 'GlobeMedders' travel thousands of miles to gain immersive international experiences working with their partners within local communities. In past years, at different times, our staff have also travelled to partner organizations in multiple countries on three continents. But never before have GlobeMed partners, GlobeMed staff, and GROW interns all met onsite - in the same place - at the same time. Until now.

This summer, our Partnerships team - Shengxiao Yu and Brittany Zelch - has been undertaking partnership facilitation visits in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The purpose of these visits is to assess GlobeMed partnerships and gain a better understanding of their missions, operations, and impact within local communities. These visits also help them gain insight into the annual Grassroots Onsite Work (GROW) internship from the perspectives of partners and interns through interviews, meetings, and social visits.

Perspectives from our Directors of Partnerships

From May to early June, Shengxiao Yu visited organizations such as Social Organizations for Voluntary Action (SOVA) and Alternative for Rural Movement in Odisha, India and Social Action for Women, Burma Humanitarian Mission, and the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) in Mae Sot, Thailand.

Shengxiao also planned this year’s Partner Forum, which was hosted for the first time in Asia. Gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand between June 8 to 10, partners from twelve organizations spanning the continent met for the first time. Anil Parajuli, co-founder and coordinator at Himalayan HealthCare, shared that Partner Forum was an important form of leadership development, particularly for younger participants. “[Partner Forum] provides a setting where we learn and share,” he said. As a small group facilitator, Anil also received firsthand experience in driving meaningful conversations with other GlobeMed partners, and learned from their different challenges and perspectives.

Shengxiao will close out her partnership facilitation visits this July in Latin America, specifically Nicaragu. She spent her first day (yesterday) with A Ministry of Sharing Health and Hope and their GlobeMed at Rhodes College GROW team in Managua.

Brittany Zelch, who oversees our partnerships in Africa, spent the month of June visiting 10 partner organizations and their GROW interns, including Mission for Community Development (MCODE) in Uganda, Komera in Kenya, Shirati Health Education and Development in Malawi, Nancholi Youth Organization in Malawi and Young 1ove in Bostwana. Brittany was previously the Chapter Support Associate at GlobeMed, focusing mostly on chapter advising with minimal contact with partners. Over the past year, and since assuming her new role, that gap has closed quite rapidly.

“Seeing GROW interns and partners work together has deepened my appreciation for GlobeMed's partnership model, and reminded me how strong the GlobeMed family is, even between partners,” said Brittany. “Each GlobeMed partner organization is unique, despite their common values and grassroots approach.”

Where do we go from here?

Back at GlobeMed Global Headquarters, the experiences and knowledge gained by our Directors of Partnerships will be integrated into our work and strategic objectives for the new academic year. The entire team, with the help of our summer interns, are hard at work planning our upcoming Leadership Institute, which will take place in Evanston on August 10 - 12. Leadership Instute equips GlobeMed leaders with the essential knowledge and resources to confidently step into the GlobeMed network and strategically plan for the year ahead. We look forward to meeting the new co-presidents and globalhealthU coordinators of our 59 chapters, and - with Brittany's and Shengxiao's guidance - paving a new way for partnership in our twelfth year.

No matter how you look at GlobeMed’s impact, one thing remains: it is because of your support that we can help drive change at so many levels, in so many ways. Thank you!

Links:

• Facebook Album: 2017 Partner Forum in Asia
• Facebook Album: 2017 Partnership Facilitation Visits in Asia